Anti-piracy software protection system and method

ABSTRACT

A method and system for protecting software products from unauthorized use and distribution is described. The system comprises a client process executed on a client computer coupled to a producer computer over a network. The method comprises the steps of providing to a user a copy of the distributed software, the distributed software comprising an incomplete executable program requiring a security module to be installed prior to execution on the client computer. The user receives a registration code for use with the distributed software. Upon attempted execution of the distributed software the producer computer requests user registration from the user. Upon receipt of the registration information including the registration code from the user, the producer computer validates the registration code and constructing a security module for transmission to the client computer. The security module is integrated with the distributed software to allow execution of the executable program.

This application claims priority from Application Ser. No. 60/470,062filed May 12, 2003 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to software protection, and morespecifically, to an anti-piracy system for protecting distributedsoftware applications from unauthorized use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Software products can be distributed in a variety of different ways. Themost common distribution method today is to package the software onoptical or magnetic disk or tape media, such as compact disk (CD-ROM),Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) or floppy disk. Software can also bedistributed electronically over networks, such as streaming orpacketized data sent over local or wide area networks (intranets), theInternet, and even wireless networks, (e.g., radio). Software products,such as application software (e.g., games, programs, and so on) ordigital data (e.g., text, photos, video or graphical data, and so on),are often distributed in their entirety as complete standalone products.This means that the software can be accessed and used by anyone whohappens to possess it, along with the appropriate computer, gamemachine, or playback device. This not only poses a problem for owners ofthe software with regard to theft of their purchased products, butrepresents a huge problem for software producers in that it facilitatesthe illegal copying and distribution (pirating) of their softwareproducts. In effect, each valid copy of a disk, tape or downloadedprogram can be used as master to generate scores of illegal copies.

The problem of software piracy has become an enormous challenge andburden to the software industry. It affects most software markets, inparticular the entertainment, gaming, and small business applicationsegments of the industry. In the PC (personal computer) game industryalone, according to one estimate, ten installed copies emanate from eachsingle purchased copy. This represents a critical loss of revenue forsoftware producers and publishers. The problem of software piracy isespecially critical in the early life-cycle of a product. Throughhacking of security mechanisms, illegal copies of a new software productcan be made available in the open market days or even weeks in advanceof it being officially released for sale by the producer. This type ofpiracy can cripple the profitability or even viability of a product fora producer before it is even released for distribution.

Although some anti-piracy and copy protection schemes currently exist toprotect distributed software, these systems are typically not adequateto protect against a determined attack to break the protection.Moreover, once a program has been hacked, it is usually quite easy forthe hacker to produce downloadable tools that eliminate the protection.The time to crack a software application security system is typicallymeasured in hours or, at most, a couple of days. This means that as soonas a pirate gains possession of the software, it is often a simplematter to remove existing digital rights management tools, such as copyprotection, and sell or distribute illegal copies of the software.

The static nature of most current widely distributed software productsis a particular problem that is not adequately addressed by most presentcopy protection schemes. Once someone has the disk or the distributionfiles, it is very easy for competent hackers to redistribute thesoftware in the same or any other available media, given the nature ofdigital storage and the ability to make nearly perfect reproductions.Furthermore, the pervasiveness of hacking has led to widespreadavailability of downloadable tools and instructions that enable evencasual users of the product to remove many of the copy protectionmechanisms in use today.

In addition, existing software applications are generally distributed ashomogenized releases. This makes it difficult to identify, track, or tiethe product to the authorized end-user. Although software registrationis available, such as by using registration codes, network addresses(e.g., MAC-address from a network card), CID (Computer ID) mechanisms,and so on, these systems only tie the software to the hardware. Thesesolutions thus have the disadvantage for the end-user that the softwareeffectively only works on the computer it was first installed on. Suchsolutions can also lead to other problems such as lost registrationcodes or original disks with the unique serial numbers, and so on.

What is needed, therefore, is software protection that provides robustanti-piracy techniques that make hacking a software product impracticaland cost-ineffective.

What is further needed is a software protection scheme that is unique toeach authorized end-user and installation, rather than the targetdevice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A software protection system for widely distributed, licensed softwareproducts is described. In one embodiment of the present invention, adistributed client-server computer network connects a customer end-userwith the producer (publisher) of the software. The protection program isintegrated with the software product and is applied directly on thesource code or on the execution level of the distributed software. Theplatform acts as a launcher of the distributed application, as well as anew media channel. This new channel is customizable to fit thepublishers' needs, and can be used to establish continuing two-waycommunication between the user and the producer and allows the producerto display news message, send upgrades, and allow automatic downloads ofpatches, extra content, and so on.

The software product is distributed as an incomplete executable. Asecurity module provided by the producer and unique to the user andinstallation is transmitted to the user upon registration, and comprisesthe missing executable portion of the software product. When the userinstalls the target application (e.g., a game or similar softwareproduct), user registration is required. User registration involves theestablishment of a username and password, along with the creation of aunique profile for each user. Once the user profile has beenestablished, the user can register the target application by enteringthe registration code that comes with the distribution. The product isactivated through the appropriate after the entered code has beenverified. Registration of the product causes the system to transmit asecurity module to the client computer. The security module comprisesthe missing executable portion of software that integrates with theinitially distributed software to produce a fully functional applicationprogram.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detaileddescription that follows below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereferences indicate similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a network for implementing a software protection andsoftware product distribution system, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate the general steps by the softwareprotection system during the registration and distribution of thesoftware product, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a screen display for integrating software protectionmechanisms with an application program, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates the user performed steps forselecting and registering a software product, according to a method ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps of creating a useridentity, according to a method of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps of registering aproduct, according to a method of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps of activating aproduct, according to a method of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps of validating a scratchposition, according to a method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A software protection system for preventing the unauthorized copying anduse of widely distributed software products is described. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present invention. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinaryskill in the art, that the present invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate explanation. Thedescription of preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scopeof the claims appended hereto.

Aspects of the present invention may be implemented on one or morecomputers executing software instructions. According to one embodimentof the present invention, server and client computer systems transmitand receive data over a computer network, or a physical or wirelesstelecommunications network. The steps of accessing, downloading, andmanipulating the data, as well as other aspects of the present inventionare implemented by central processing units (CPU) in the server andclient computers executing sequences of instructions stored in a memory.The memory may be a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),a persistent store, such as a mass storage device, or any combination ofthese devices. Execution of the sequences of instructions causes the CPUto perform steps according to embodiments of the present invention.

The instructions may be loaded into the memory of the server or clientcomputers from a storage device or from one or more other computersystems over a network connection. For example, a client computer maytransmit a sequence of instructions to the server computer in responseto a message transmitted to the client over a network by the server. Asthe server receives the instructions over the network connection, itstores the instructions in memory. The server may store the instructionsfor later execution, or it may execute the instructions as they arriveover the network connection. In some cases, the downloaded instructionsmay be directly supported by the CPU. In other cases, the instructionsmay not be directly executable by the CPU, and may instead be executedby an interpreter that interprets the instructions. In otherembodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of, or incombination with, software instructions to implement the presentinvention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any specificcombination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particularsource for the instructions executed by the server or client computers.In some instances, the client and server functionality may beimplemented on a single computer platform.

Aspects of the present invention can be used in a distributed electroniccommerce application that includes a client/server network system thatlinks one or more server computers to one or more client computers, aswell as server computers to other server computers and client computersto other client computers. The client and server computers may beimplemented as desktop personal computers, workstation computers, mobilecomputers, portable computing devices, personal digital assistant (PDA)devices, game playing devices, digital audio or video playback devices,or any other similar type of computing or electronic playback device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network system that includes distributedclient/server computers for the distribution and use of variousdifferent software products. The system also includes a client/serversoftware protection system to protect the distribution and use of thesoftware programs. In the network embodiment illustrated in system 100of FIG. 1, a software producer (also referred to as a publisher) makessoftware products 126 available for distribution through producer server103. Such products can be made available for use on one or more clientcomputers, such as client computer 102. The software product 126 can beany type of executable software program, such as a game or applicationprogram, or electronic data used on the client computer 102. Thesoftware product 126 can be distributed in a variety of different media,such as CD-ROM, floppy disk, tape, and so on. Alternatively, it can betransmitted electronically to the client 102 over network 110. Thus theexecutable programs or modules that comprise the software product 126can be any form of distribution, such as CD, DVD, streaming download,e-mail, and so on.

In order to protect the distribution and use of the software product insystem 100, the process includes server-side and client-side componentsthat provide protection mechanisms within the software products, andrestrict user access to the protected software products. Thesemechanisms include user registration information that is stored in auser database 120 maintained and coupled to producer server 103.

For a network embodiment in which the client and server computerscommunicate over the World Wide Web portion of the Internet, the clientcomputer 102 typically accesses the network through an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) 107 and executes a web browser program 114 to display webcontent through web pages. In one embodiment, the web browser program isimplemented using Microsoft® Internet Explorer™ browser software, butother similar web browsers may also be used. Network 110 couples theclient computer 102 to server computer 104 and producer server 103,either or both of which execute a web server process (e.g., web server116) that serves web content in the form of web pages to the clientcomputer 102.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the network server 104 andserver-side software protection process 112 represent a platform thatconnects the end-user client computer 102 with the producer (publisher)of the software using a computer network 110, typically the Internet. Ingeneral, the software protection mechanisms are integrated with thesoftware product, and are applied directly on the source code or on theexecution level of the software product. The platform acts as a launcherof the application, and also as an alternative media channel, that iscustomizable to fit the publishers' need with regard to distributioncontent and post-installation support.

The software protection system illustrated in FIG. 1 contains a set ofsoftware components that, when integrated with the software product tobe protected, establishes that only the registered owner/proprietor ofthe protected software is able to access and use the software. Thesoftware protection system includes three main components. These includea server side protection process 112 that generates unique securitymodules that are embedded within the software product. The securitymodule is an encrypted and obfuscated program consisting of code, filledwith random data but containing one, or several encrypted programmaticinstructions that essentially become hidden from unauthorized access orreverse-engineering.

The second component is a client-side process 106 that effectively wrapsthe target application (software product), taking over as the mainexecutable and communicating in an encrypted fashion with the producerserver 103. The client-side process 106 enforces digital rightsmanagement on the client computer 102 and reads proprietary digitalcertificates in order to decode and execute code scrambled and hiddenthrough server-side process 112.

The third main component is the security module, which is a digitalcollection of arbitrary functions and dynamic link library (DLL)pointers that are encrypted in a unique fashion through the serverprocess 112. In one embodiment, the entire collection is encrypted, thena second function is further encrypted one or more times. Decoding ispossible only through the use of a digital certificate containingpointer information regarding where the functionality lies within themodule, as well as a key necessary to decode the particular segment inorder to load it into memory and execute the function. In addition tothis security, the function is encoded and hidden within the module andutilizes a secret handshake based on certain parameters, that are uniqueper module (and thus per user account). Each security module isgenerated by server process 112 and is unique to a certain user profile.The security module can reside as an ordinary file on the clientcomputer 102, but can only be accessed and executed by the client-sideapplication 106.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the security module includesfunctions and pointers to functions within the executables of thesoftware product (protected application). The functions are machinelevel code portions. The pointers point to functions both inside thesecurity module itself and to functions inside the protectedapplication. If one of the pointers is faulty the application willcrash. This allows the pointers to be used as security keys for theapplication. During distribution to the client computer 102, not all ofthe function pointers are delivered together with the security module.For example, in exchange for “scratch positions” the so-called“execution codes” are returned from the server. These “execution codes”are in fact function pointers. The advantage of sending functionpointers from the server to the client as certificates is that it isvery difficult for a hacker to circumvent the verification of thepointers. Since the application does not know how to proceed duringexecution without them, a hacker will not be able to determine thiseither. The difference between pointers to functions in the applicationcode and pointers to functions in the security module is that thepointers to functions in the security module are different for eachuser, since the security module is different for each user.

User Registration and Installation

When the user installs the target application (e.g. a game or businessapplication) on the client computer 102, user registration is required.Registration is performed over the network 110. The registration processrequires the establishment of a user name and password, and the creationof a unique profile for each user. This user profile is stored in adatabase accessible to the producer, such as in user database 120. Notethat user database may be closely coupled to the producer server 120, orit may be stored on in a memory storage remotely coupled through network110. Once the user profile has been established, the user registers thetarget application by entering the registration code that comes with thedistribution. The registration code can be distributed electronically ortelephonically to the user or through a physical printed certificatedistributed with the software media. The product is activated after theentered code has been verified on the producer server 103. For thisembodiment, the producer server maintains a database that storesrelevant product ID and registration code correlated for each softwareproduct. In general, each unique distribution will carry a uniqueregistration code.

When the user launches the application, a username/password dialogue boxis displayed on the client computer 102. The user logs on by enteringthe appropriate information. Access to the program may then be granted,or, depending upon the producer's implementation, a portal may bedisplayed, enabling the user to select and access any of a selection ofproducts available from the publisher database or website. In thismanner, a producer can provide an on-line catalogue of products to allowthe user to search and select particular products for download ordistribution by CD, DVD, and so on.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate the general steps that are performedduring the registration and distribution for the software protectionsystem, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.2A, a user 201 has purchased a software product that is distributed on aphysical media, such as a compact disk 202, which is an authoriseddistribution copy of the software product 126 of FIG. 1. Although a CDis illustrated, the distribution media can be any type of physical mediaor downloadable program module. As is depicted in FIG. 2A, theapplication the user has purchased is not complete and will not work asis. In order to obtain the “missing piece” of the program, the user mustproperly register and install the product. Thus, as illustrated in FIG.2A, the software product that initially reaches the customer is anincomplete distribution, which is missing a portion of the executablecode. The software protection processes illustrated in FIG. 1 involvethe distribution and installation of this missing portion to produce afull executable program for the user 201.

FIG. 2B illustrates the installation process. In this step, the clientapplication 106 will initiate registration with the producer server 103.Once a connection with the producer server 103 is established, thepurchased product 202 should be registered. For registration, the user201 must enter the registration code (also referred to as a “productkey”) delivered with the application 202. The installation stepillustrated in FIG. 2B results in an entirely unique installation, suchthat the installed software is different for each user, regardless ofthe type of product being used.

In one embodiment, the product key (registration code) is a random,non-formulaic data string, which is originally generated using analgorithm. The key that is entered by the user is compared to an actualstored key maintained by the producer server. It is not a key that isalgorithmically checked. In this manner, security is enhanced since itis not possible to make a generator to generate an unlimited number ofkeys to try to crack the registration code. Moreover, since thecomparison is made on the producer server, instead of on the user clientcomputer via an algorithm, it is virtually impossible for a hacker todiscover the algorithm. As soon as a key has been used, it is removedfrom the working activation-keys in the database, so no one can use thesame registration code twice.

Once the producer server 103 acknowledges that the particular productkey exists in the appropriate database and is valid, it will constructand download to the client computer 102 a security module 204 thatintegrates with the application software 202 and permits the applicationto be run on the client. This is illustrated in FIG. 2C. In effect, thesecurity module 204 represents the missing piece of the originallydistributed application program 202. Each security module is a uniquemodule of generated code using one-time-pad encryption. It is downloadedand installed as a key-lock between the launcher and the targetapplication 202. Because the security module is always unique, there isno default module, and no way of redistributing a common or genericmodule that works with other security systems. The security module istied to a specific user and controlled over the network, thus, there canonly be one such installation running at any given time. This makes itnearly impossible to distribute a static “freeze image” of anapplication. Because the security module is not generated by a formula,brute force decryption techniques are ineffective. This mechanism alsoprevents debuggers from being run on the application. Furthermore,because no distribution acts the same or works the same, it is virtuallyimpossible to develop tools to remove the set of protections, performdisassembly and reverse engineering on the product

The use of security modules that are unique and tied to a user profileand an electronic license in the form of a certificate, makes theparticular software distribution identifiable to the producer. Anyunauthorized user wishing to pirate the software would need to accessthe server in order to gain knowledge about the encryption,certificates, and so on. Since this information is onlypseudo-information that is randomized and stored on the producer server103, it is nearly impossible to replicate the software in a fashion thata user without a valid license can effectively use it.

For site license applications, such as when a family or group of usershave licenses to use one instance of the application protected by theinvention, each member will use the registration key in order to unlockthe application for their own unique profile, stored on the server. Alllicense rules and validation of the licenses is done on the producerserver, where frameworks and rule-sets can be added to tell theapplication not to start, remove itself from the system, issue a visualwarning, or any other means necessary to enforce digital rightsmanagement.

Upon installation of the protected application, the security module isnot available and must be fetched from the producer server throughapplicable means. When the server gets a request to release and makeavailable a new certificate/security module, the producer server canenforce digital rights management. For example, the server can refuse toaccept an additional installation of the software, or accept the requestand generate a new security module and certificate, thus invalidatingthe old certificate/security module. It is also possible to enforcerules such as issuing a temporary certificate/security module that willonly last for a given amount of time/given number of uses. Thus, aproducer can set an expiration date so that when a security moduleexpires, a new module must be downloaded from the publisher's server. Atthis time, the producer can check that the installation is permitted,and if the same media has been used to install the application onanother computer, the producer server may return the message that thisinstallation has been deactivated.

If the application is copied as a whole, with all available parametersand by replicating all the local information, including an alreadydownloaded certificate and security module as well as manipulatingregistry entries and other unique identifiers from hardware to hardware,it is possible to use the application and thereby circumvent thesecurity. However, in one embodiment, the integrity of the installationis checked by the distributor server at periodic time intervals. Thus,the installed application is programmed to periodically ask for a newcertificate and security module for each user. This request is answeredby the server, so that over time there will only be one validdistribution. In general, whether or not this “valid” application is inthe hands of the legitimate user or not is unknowable if the user hasdistributed his own personal information in this way; but since at somepoint the legitimate user purchased the software it is likely that thelegitimate user will enforce his own interests if he/she has bought theprotected application in good faith and stop distributing copies thatwill be invalidated shortly in any event.

In one embodiment, the security module 204 is implemented as aproprietary encrypted digital certificate in the form of XML that isused to keep information necessary to run the “unlock” sequence. Thisallows a user to be offline for short or extended periods of time beforehaving to renew the security module and the certificate. By uniquelyidentifying each user, and each instance of the software running throughthe security module it is possible to utilize digital rights managementof various kinds depending on the final product implementation.

The client-side process 106 contains the processing logic necessary toidentify the security module, the digital certificate, and throughencrypted proprietary XML protocol, communications with the producerserver 103 to determine whether or not the protected application hasbeen tampered with. As each security module is unique to the user, it isvirtually impossible to recreate the logic needed to execute theprotected application without having access to the security moduleitself. Even if an unauthorized user were able to replace the logicnecessary for their own installation, they would not be able to producedownloadable tools that effectively render existing copy protection ordigital rights management tools ineffective. By giving out theusername/password, copying the digital certificate, and replacing thesecurity module on a second client computer, it may be possible toutilize the application in an unlicensed manner, but in general only fora very brief amount of time, as upon the next periodic renewal of thesecurity module and the digital certificate the copied/old securitymodule and certificate will no longer be valid.

An additional and substantial benefit of the application is that it nolonger becomes possible to distribute pirated copies of digitalmerchandise before it is available through retailers, as the securitymodule generation is necessary to run the application it can be madeunavailable until the retailer or user of this application decides thatit should be available publicly.

Producer/Publisher Interface

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the software product 126 to be protected istypically available from a database or storage maintained by theproducer and controlled by the producer server 103. The server-sideprocess 112 provides executable and graphical user interface modulesthat allows the producer to implement the security mechanisms on theirproducts. FIG. 3 illustrates a screen display for integrating softwareprotection mechanisms with an application program, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. Various different mechanisms areprovided that the producer can use to protect the distributed softwareproduct. The graphical front-end 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 allows theproducer to select the components of the piracy protection suite to beintegrated with the distributed products.

Through the user interface 300, the producer can select the filename ofthe product or executable to protect, decide which parts of theprotection to employ, and specify an output directory for the protectedfile. The wrap button 302 executes the software protection embeddingprocess, which includes a number of different protection schemesillustrated in the main display area of screen display 300.

The entry point mechanism 304 inserts a faulty entrypoint into thesoftware file. When the client 102 launches the executable, it launchesit at the correct entrypoint. If the client does not find theentrypoint, it requests it from the producer server 103. This mechanismensures that anyone who tries to write a custom loader for even a fullyunprotected executable file will fail, unless they manage to find thetrue entrypoint and insert it. In one embodiment, the correct entrypoint is sent to the client computer 102 from the producer server 103 inan encoded fashion. The application program is launched, but the processis paused before the actual execution, right after the operating systemloads the executable program. The correct entry point is then set in theoperating system structures, and the process is resumed.

The export offset protection mechanism 306 is a powerful protectivemechanism that strips the executable of all the near calls. Programcalls will instead be made through the protection mechanism. Anyonetrying to dump the running executable from memory will end up with anon-working copy, since the function calls will not exist.

The debug protection mechanism 308 enables an anti-debugging scheme tobe implemented. This mechanism makes it impossible to use a debugger tobreak into the executable, so a potential attacker will have no way ofstepping through the running process. The encrypt mechanism 310 encryptsthe executable file, decrypting it on loadtime. Thus, it will not bepossible to disassemble the executable to see how it works.

The Runtime Encryption/Decryption mechanism 312 encrypts small portionsof the executable file. These portions will remain encrypted when thefile is loaded. Once the program reaches an encrypted part, it will bedecrypted, executed, and then encrypted again. Anyone trying to dump therunning executable from memory will thus end up with a non-working copy,since there will be encrypted parts that will not decrypt without thecorresponding decryption mechanisms.

The sixth protection method is the DLL mechanism 314, which bakes theexecutable into a dynamic link library (DLL), enabling it to be executedwith a LoadLibrary( ) command. The DLL provides one or more particularfunctions. The program accesses the functions by creating either astatic or dynamic link to the DLL. This inserts a small layer ofobfuscation, which is typically effective against casual attackers.

Upon completion, the wrapping process creates a definition-file (e.g.,DEF file) for the protected software product. This file will be used inthe product registration-step using administration tools available onthe producer server 103.

Client User Interface

Once the software product is protected and stored appropriately on theproducer server 103 or other server, it is ready to be distributed andaccessed using the client side process 106. In general, the clientprocess 106 uniquely identifies the user by asking for credentials,username and password, and sends encrypted information along withinformation regarding the protected software, such as version number, aunique serial number, and possibly registration code to the producerserver 103. This information is checked for validity, and ifauthorization is successful, a digital certificate is downloaded to theclient. In addition to the digital certificate, a dynamic link library,which is encrypted by a unique key created at the time of userregistration is downloaded to the computer where the registration wasmade. This encrypted dynamic link file contains random invalid computerinstructions when decrypted and is not executable. Within this dynamiclink library exists an encrypted function that is hidden within a set ofparameters only known to the producer server and only available throughthe encrypted digital certificate locally. This hidden function has abuilt-in handshake process that only allows a counterpart process toaccess it, and starts or gets access to data within the protectedsoftware.

As described above, the user must complete certain discrete steps beforehe or she can use the software product. FIG. 4 is a flowchart thatillustrates the user performed steps, according to a method of thepresent invention. After acquiring a product to be used, the user startsthe client computer 102. Initially, the client process 106 will give theuser a choice of either logging in or creating a user identity. In step402 it is determined whether the user has a user identity. If so, theuser can log in to the system, step 404. If the authentication of theuser identity succeeds, step 406, the user will see a list of allhis/her registered products, step 408.

If the user does not have a user identity, one will need to be created,step 410. The flowchart 500 of FIG. 5 illustrates the steps of creatinga user identity, according to a method of the present invention. If thecreation of the user identity succeeds, step 412, the client will showan empty product list since the user has no registered products yet.

If the user has registered the product to be executed, step 414, theproduct is selected from the client's product list, step 420. If theproduct is not registered the user must register the product, step 416.The flowchart 600 of FIG. 6 illustrates the steps of registering aproduct, according to a method of the present invention. If theregistration succeeds, step 418, the product will be visible in theclient's product list and can be chosen by the user, step 420.

When the product is chosen and is not yet activated the client process106 will send an “activate product” request to the producer server 103,step 430. The flowchart 700 of FIG. 7 illustrates the steps ofactivating a product, according to a method of the present invention. Ifthe activation process succeeds as determined in step 432, the clientprocess will start the product, step 428. If the product is alreadyactivated the client process will send a “validate scratch position”request to the producer server 103, step 424. The flowchart 800 of FIG.8 illustrates the steps of validating a scratch position, according to amethod of the present invention. If the validation is successful, asdetermined is step 426, the product will be started by the clientcomputer 102, step 428. After the product is started it will runnormally, step 434, until the user terminates it, step 436.

As illustrated in step 410 of FIG. 4, a new user must first create auser identity on the producer server 103. FIG. 5 illustrates the stepsin detail for this process. When the user has a defined identity on theserver all future access to the protected application will be tied tothis identity. The user fills in an online form and transmits this formto the producer server 103. The online form provides input boxes for theuser to input name and other identifying information such as address,personal ID number, passwords, and so on.

In step 502, the process performs the basic authentication, validationand decryption, in which the client data is validated as to correct datatype. Next the server checks if the identity name suggested by the useris already used by some other user, steps 504 and 506. If the user nameis already taken, an error message is returned to the user, step 508. Ifthe name is free, the rest of the user's input is inspected, step 512.If any errors are found in this step, an error message is returned, step514. If the user input is correct, the user identity is saved to thesystem, step 516. The user is then authenticated, step 518, and a coderepresenting success is returned to the client, step 520. For a newuser, the overall software access and execution step then proceeds fromstep 408 in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in step 414 of FIG. 4, a user must register the softwareproduct to be used. FIG. 6 illustrates the steps in detail for thisprocess. When a user wants to register a product, the client 102 sends arequest including a DAC (Digital Access (Registration) Code) to theproducer server 103. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the server receives therequest and processes it. In step 602, the basic authentication,validation and decryption steps are performed. If the validationsucceeds, basic product and activation data objects are created, step604. Next the producer server checks if the DAC exists for this product,step 606. If the DAC does not exist for this product an error message isreturned to the user. If the DAC exists, the process checks if the DACalready has been used by another user, steps 608 and 610. If so an errormessage is returned to the user explaining that the DAC has been used byanother user. If the DAC has not been used, the process checks to see ifthe DAC is locked to a specific user, step 612. A locked DAC can only beused by the user to whom it is locked. If the DAC is not locked theserver proceed to the actual registration process, step 616, where theuser's registration of the product is saved to the system. An updatedlist of all of the user's registered products, including the justregistered product, is then returned to the user, step 618.

As illustrated in step 422 of FIG. 4, a registered software product mustbe activated prior to use. FIG. 7 illustrates the steps in detail forthis process. A user starts a protected application by choosing aproduct from the list displayed on the client 102. The client thenestablishes an encrypted communication link with the producer server 103and sends a “start execution” request to the server.

One important parameter sent in the request is the security module ID.If the user has never run the product before on the machine he or she iscurrently using, the client will send a null value back. If the user hasnot used the product before on this machine the client will send the IDof the latest security module downloaded to the machine. The securitymodule ID is an encrypted code unique for the security module. Thisprocess also includes a quarantine feature, which allows a user to run aproduct from one computer at a time by allowing the user to move theactivation from one computer to another. If a user installs a product onone computer but later needs to use the product on another computer, theproducer server will allow the move if a certain time has passed sincethe last time the user moved the activation. This period of time isreferred to as the product's “quarantine” period.

As illustrated in flowchart 700, basic authentication, validation anddecryption is performed in step 702. If the validation succeeds basicproduct and activation data objects are created, step 704. Next theserver checks if the security module ID parameter is zero, indicatingthat there is no security module on the computer for this product, step706. If so the user has no security module on the machine and a newsecurity module is returned to the client, step 722.

If the security module ID provided is non-zero, the server compares themaximum allowed runs for the product in question with a variable(NrRuns), which represents how many times the user has run the product,step 710. If the user has reached maximum runs he is blocked for furtherusage of the product. If the user has not reached maximum runs theserver compares the security module ID sent with the security module IDthe system has saved for this user, step 712. If the sent securitymodule ID matches that of the system, as determined in step 714, all iswell and the variable NrRuns is incremented, step 718. After this a“launch product” command is returned to the client telling the client itis safe to start the product.

If the security module ID sent by the client does not match the ID savedby the system, the server asks the user if he wants to move theactivation to the current machine. This is only allowed if the user isnot stuck in quarantine, as determined in steps 716 and 720. If the userchooses to move the activation, a new security module is downloaded tothe client with a “launch product” command, step 722.

As illustrated in step 424 of FIG. 4, the security module contains a setof codes called “scratch positions” unique to the user's securitymodule. The scratch position will be exchanged by the producer serverfor an “execution code”, which is a code needed by the protectedapplication to continue execution. When the client or security modulewants to validate a scratch position it sends a “validate scratchposition” request to the server. These requests are sent when theapplication starts and sometimes during runtime. When the producerserver receives such a request it will perform the steps illustrated inthe flowchart illustrated in FIG. 8.

In step 802, the process performs basic authentication, validation anddecryption steps. If validation fails, an incorrect execution code isreturned to the client, and this will effectively halt the execution ofthe application, step 804. If validation succeeds basic data objects forthe scratch position are created, step 806.

In step 808, the scratch position value is compared to the valueexpected by the server. The server will only accept a scratch positionfrom a user's security module once, and the scratch positions mustarrive to the server in a specific order. If the server receives anincorrect scratch position, it will return an incorrect execution code,step 804. If the scratch position value equals the expected value acorrect execution code is returned, step 810.

In one embodiment, the process for registering and allowing the user toaccess and execute the software product is performed over web-basedInternet network. For this embodiment, the basic steps are as follows:the user first installs the software product on the client computer 102.A web-application is then launched allowing the user to activate thesoftware. In order to accomplish this, the application needs theusername, password, registration key (provided with the softwaredistribution, or through e-mail, phone, or alternate method). If theregistration key has been used before, the application may reject oraccept a new registration, depending on what rule set is activated forthat particular product. If user registration is accepted, a new andunique security module is created on the server and stored in adatabase. A new unique product ID is created that uniquely identifiesthe software product based on the parameters supplied duringregistration. Pointers to the secret function are also created in thedatabase. A user profile is created in the database in which the user isassigned a unique identification number. The additional steps of productregistration, validation, and so on, then proceed as described abovewith reference to FIGS. 4 through 8. For this embodiment, communicationamong the client 102, producer server 103 and network server 104 isimplemented over the World-Wide Web, with web browser based interfacesamong the computers.

The software protection system described herein has been describedprimarily in relation to use with software application programs, howeverit should be noted that embodiments of the present invention can also beapplied to any type of distributed digital content. In addition, thesoftware protection scheme can be extended to other uses related to thedistribution, tracking and maintenance of distributed electronic data.For example, besides copy protection, another benefit to the publisheris the ability to control the release-date of the target application tothe hour, without any risk of illegal copies appearing on the Internet.Basically, if the target application is to be officially released by aspecific date and time, the publisher has the ability to activate ourproduct on the servers at that given date and time. Because the softwaresecurity system 100 must download vital pieces of the application, thetarget application is incomplete (and thus can not be cracked orillegally distributed) until the publisher decides to enableregistration and downloading of security modules. This prevents thedistribution of illegal copies prior to authorised release andcirculation. It also prevents retailers from breaking their agreementsand releasing copies pre-launch.

The standardized client/server interaction also lets the publishercontrol the number of active instances per user. The publisher canimplement a widespread variety of licensing options, which are allcustomizable by the publisher and even interchangeable betweenapplications by simply changing the ruleset on the server. One productcan be allowed to run on several computers, or only one at a time. Inaddition, other types of downloadable content, such as information,advertisements and publisher news, as well as patch functionality,diagnostic tools, and up-sale opportunities can all be delivered throughthis direct connection with the user. The software security platformthus comprises a two-way communication channel between the user and theproducer server, as updates and diagnostics can be regularly sent to theuser from the producer and feedback can be sent from the user to theproducer. The ability of the producer server to control the installationand distribution and use of the installed software product allows theproducer to closely monitor the licensed use of the product. Ifunauthorised use or copying is detected, the producer can deactivate asingle installation or user.

In the foregoing, a system has been described for a software protectionmechanism to protect the distribution and use of distributed softwareproducts. Although the present invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident thatvarious modifications and changes may be made to these embodimentswithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings areto be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A computer-implemented method for protecting distributed softwarecontaining an executable program over a client server network, themethod comprising: providing to a user a copy of the distributedsoftware, the distributed software comprising an incomplete executableprogram requiring a unique security module that includes at least aportion of a program instruction to be installed prior to execution onthe client computer; transmitting to the user a registration code foruse with the distributed software; requesting user registration from theuser upon attempted execution of the distributed software; receivingregistration information including the registration code from the user;validating the registration code received from the user; constructingthe unique security module upon validation of the registration code;transmitting the unique security module to the client computer; andaccessing the portion of the program instruction of the unique securitymodule with the distributed software to allow execution of theexecutable program.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the distributedsoftware comprises one or more executable programs embodied on diskmedia.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the distributed softwarecomprises one or more executable programs embodied in downloadabledigital format.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user registrationcomprises a user name and password, and the method further comprises thestep of defining a unique user profile for the user.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the registration code is transmitted to the user througha method including mail, e-mail, fax, phone, or paper certificateaccompanying the distributed software media.
 6. The method of claim 5wherein the registration code is a non-formulaic data string that iscompared with a counterpart registration code stored on a servercomputer coupled to the client computer.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein the unique security module comprises a unique data string, andfurther comprising the step of encrypting the security module datastring prior to installation and transmission to the client computer. 8.The method of claim 7 wherein the unique security module comprises adigital collection of arbitrary functions and dynamic link librarypointers.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step ofverifying the unique security module and distributed software on aperiodic time basis defined by the server computer.
 10. A client-servercomputer system for protecting distributed software containing anexecutable program distributed from a server computer to a clientcomputer over the network, the system comprising: means for providing toa user a copy of the distributed software, the distributed softwarecomprising an incomplete executable program requiring a unique securitymodule that includes at least a portion of a program instruction to beinstalled prior to execution on the client computer, wherein theincomplete executable program is stored on a computer-readable mediumaccessible to the client computer; means for transmitting to the user aregistration code for use with the distributed software; means forrequesting user registration from the user upon attempted execution ofthe distributed software; means for receiving registration informationincluding the registration code from the user; means for validating theregistration code received from the user; means for constructing theunique security module upon validation of the registration code; meansfor transmitting the unique security module to the client computer; andmeans for accessing the portion of the program instruction of the uniquesecurity module with the distributed software to allow execution of theexecutable program.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the distributedsoftware comprises one or more executable programs embodied on diskmedia.
 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the distributed softwarecomprises one or more executable programs embodied in downloadablemedia.
 13. The system of claim 10 wherein the user registrationcomprises a user name and password, and the method further comprises thestep of defining a unique user profile for the user.
 14. The system ofclaim 10 wherein the registration code is transmitted to the userthrough a method including mail, e-mail, fax, phone, or papercertificate accompanying the distributed software media.
 15. The systemof claim 14 wherein the registration code is a non-formulaic datastring.
 16. The system of claim 10 wherein the unique security modulecomprises a unique data string, and further comprising the step ofencrypting the data string prior to installation and transmission to theclient computer.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the unique securitymodule comprises a digital collection of arbitrary functions and dynamiclink library pointers.
 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the uniquesecurity module comprises invalid computer instructions.
 19. The methodof claim 10 wherein the unique security module comprises invalidcomputer instructions.